World Premiere of the 2009 Ferrari California

In a webcast from its new factory in Maranello, Italy, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo officially introduced Ferrari's latest model, the California, to the tune of "California Dreamin" by the Mamas and the Papas, and images depicting the history of the Prancing Horse which were displayed along the walls.
The world premiere was held also simultaneously outside of Los Angeles, California, at a Santa Monica private airport, with more than 1,000 guests from all over the world at the two locations. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California and guest of honour was also present at the event.
Amidst the speeches, we weren't able to learn much more about the car itself. We already knew that it has a 4.3L direct-injected V-8 that makes 460 hp under the hood and that it sprints to 62 mph in under four seconds. We knew it's stopped by carbon-ceramic brakes clamped by Brembo calipers and features Ferrari's first dual-clutch gearbox along with its F1-Trac traction control system.
What we did learn, however, is that it will produce 1.08 lb/mile of CO2. Although on the high side, Ferrari says that the figure represents a 30% reduction over previous models. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox took Ferrari four years to develop and the third-generation F1-Trac traction control system has been updated with new programming for rainy conditions. Ferrari also confirmed that the car will ride on third-generation magneto-rheological shocks, and that it will be available in at least two colors, the classic Ferrari Red and a blue-ish silver metallic.
In addition to Luca di Montezemolo, the unveiling was attended by current Scuderia Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.
The event featured Ferrari Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher who was also on hand, having been involved since the very earliest stages in the development of the California, an innovative car sporting a new eight-cylinder engine and a retractable folding hard top.
Di Montezemolo was in such a good mood after praising the car, every member of the design team, the late Phil Hill and Andrea Pininfarina, and all three drivers that he decided to take a shot at the driver one point ahead of Massa in the F1 standings. Without mentioning said driver, Lewis Hamilton, and his McLaren-Mercedes team by name, di Montezemolo remarked that Ferrari was "proud to provide technology to the Germans," a reference to last year's scandal in which the McLaren-Mercedes team was found to be in possession of secret Ferrari race car specifications.
Not much more was gleaned from the official unveiling, so it's likely we'll have to wait until the California's debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 2nd, 2008 to find out anything more. For now, you can see more of the California in video clips created by movie director Michael Mann at http://www.ferraricalifornia.com/ .

Source: http://wot.motortrend.com/, http://www.easier.com/ , http://www.motor.co.za/, http://www.wheels24.co.za/ and http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/